• screen freezes
    • shut off computer/ctrl alt del/hold down power key for long time
    • plug in a student laptop to the projector
    • describe with words what they're going to see

  • audio is broken
  • no sound
    • sing the song yourself
    • keep backup speakers in your classroom that you can plug in

  • can't get laptop to work on the projector
  • forgot the dongle
  • projector dies
    • draw pictures on the board
    • work in small groups and have students look at the computer instead of the screen
    • have students access it from their laptops instead
    • screen sharing
    • nearpod
    • use a student dongle
    • always keep a spare dongle in your room/borrow from a neighbor down the hall

  • programs need update
  • students have different versions of the same program
    • talk to your tech person
    • use the cloud
    • if it's a quick update, do it
    • group students by who has similar versions and have them work together
    • use universal products (.pdf etc) where possible

  • internet isn't working
  • link is broken
  • website you were going to use is no longer working
  • youtube video got taken down or is now private
  • website is blocked
    • save the page to your computer (backup the data and work from your backup)
    • have backup links that have the same information
    • use encyclopedia and books ; go to the library

  • Internet is really slow
  • videos won't load
    • song and dance
    • buffer the video the period before
    • keep the tabs open
    • show another video
    • download the video to your laptop so you don't need the Internet
    • if everybody's on it, it might take longer so have students on the same page close out

  • can't find the file
  • file got corrupted
    • organize stuff before class on your computer
    • try a system restore
    • search entire laptop and see if you can find an older version
    • using the backup copy of that file that you keep
    • keep older versions of your backups
    • online backups (dropbox, skydrive, iCloud,...)


  • they see other stuff on your desktop
    • don't put stuff on your laptop
    • keep files in folders
    • pick an appropriate desktop picture
    • unplug the projector, change what is visible, then plug it back in (or put something in front of the projector to block it...)

  • Smartboard pens don't work
  • Smartboard pens are lost
    • Smartboard brand you can use your finger and don't need a pen
    • other brands, have it ready to go prior to class
    • talk to your IT person


  • laptops get taken away
  • one kid doesn't have a laptop
  • broken laptops
  • broken iPads
  • students forget laptop
    • share with a friend
    • take the class to computer lab/library
    • have a paper copy of whatever it is you are doing
    • borrow the laptop cart if your school has one
    • access same material using smartphone

  • students don't take laptops home
    • give them classtime to work on projects
    • volunteer to monitor the computer lab after school for students to come use
    • local library

  • students don't have internet access at home
    • do all the Internet work at school
    • if they have computer at home, have files and information available online so they can still access (use Web 2.0 tools, you can upload it to a class wiki....)

  • not being charged
    • bring charger with you
    • have extra chargers
    • have backup batteries
    • have backup devices

  • forgotten password
    • make another account
    • write passwords down
    • send an email to yourself with the info
    • create a system in your class for school-related passwords


  • students access apple TV before the teacher
    • let 'em have it
    • choose your battles


  • teacher shows video and there's something inappropriate on the side
  • sticky ads
    • have a different account for school
    • use a different browser so there's no history to
    • delete cache
    • use a youtube viewer that keeps the stuff off the side
    • ad-blocking extensions on your browser
    • check the "don't show related videos" box
    • unplug the projector and then move on
    • preload the video and have it showing in full screen on another tab